New York Giants Sign Safety Bobby McCain

 Posted by
Mar 212023
 
Bobby McCain, Washington Football Team (January 9, 2022)

Bobby McCain – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have signed free agent safety Bobby McCain, who was cut by the Washington Commanders in late February in a salary-cap move. The deal is reportedly a 1-year contract.

The 29-year old, 5’11”, 192-pound McCain was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. After six seasons and 55 regular-season starts, the Dolphins cut him in May 2021 and McCain spent the next two seasons with the Commanders. McCain has started 32 of 34 regular-season games in Washington in 2021 and 2022. Last season, he finished with 54 tackles, five pass defenses, and one forced fumble. McCain has 11 career interceptions, four of which came in 2021.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

Jon Feliciano Signs With 49ers

 Posted by
Mar 202023
 
Jon Feliciano, New York Giants (January 21, 2023)

Jon Feliciano – © USA TODAY Sports

JON FELICIANO SIGNS WITH 49ers…
New York Giants unrestricted free agent center Jon Feliciano has signed a 1-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Feliciano is the third unrestricted free agent to depart from the team this offseason, joining center/guard Nick Gates and safety Julian Love.

The Giants signed Feliciano in March 2022 after he was cut by the Buffalo Bills. The Giants converted him from guard to center, where he started 15 regular- and two post-season games, missing one game due to a neck injury and the other a healthy scratch in the regular-season finale. Feliciano had an up-and-down year. His veteran presence and knowledge of Brian Daboll’s offense helped the offensive team. While he brought a toughness, feistiness, and grittiness to the line, his athletic limitations proved to be an issue against better opponents. Feliciano was also flagged six times (four holding, one ineligible downfield, and one taunting penalty).

The 6’4”, 325-pound Feliciano was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He signed as a free agent with the Bills in March 2019. Feliciano has now played in 97 regular-season games with 54 starts. He is a versatile player who can play both guard positions and center.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

GIANTS ADD CORNERBACK…
The Giants have signed cornerback Leonard Johnson, a cornerback from Duke University who tore the ACL in one of his knees while training before the 2022 NFL Draft. Because of the injury, Johnson went undrafted and did not sign with any NFL team last year.

DARIUS SLAYTON PRESS CONFERENCE…
Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who the Giants re-signed as an unrestricted free agent, addressed the media on Monday. The transcript of this press conference is available in The Corner Forum, while the video is available on YouTube.

Seahawks Sign Julian Love; Giants Re-Structure Darren Waller’s Contract

 Posted by
Mar 172023
 
Julian Love, New York Giants (October 16, 2022)

Julian Love – © USA TODAY Sports

SEAHAWKS SIGN JULIAN LOVE …
The Seattle Seahawks have signed unrestricted free agent safety Julian Love away from the New York Giants. The deal is reportedly a 2-year, $12 million contract. Love is the second Giants’ free agent to depart the team this offseason, joining offensive lineman Nick Gates, who signed with the Washington Commanders.

Love has gotten better every year since he was draft by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Due to Xavier McKinney missing much of the 2022 season, Love was forced to play in a variety of roles and performed well. A healthy scratch in the regular-season finale, Love started 16 regular-season games and finished the year with a team-high 124 tackles, six tackles for losses, one sack, five pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He played in 95 percent of defensive snaps and was flagged once for unnecessary roughness. A collegiate corner, the Giants moved him to safety as a rookie, though he has played some corner and slot corner at the pro level. Love has played in 64 regular-season games with 32 starts.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

GIANTS RE-STRUCTURE DARREN WALLER’S CONTRACT …
The Giants and Darren Waller have agreed to re-structure the newly-acquired tight end’s contract. $9.835 million of Waller’s 2023 base salary has been converted into a signing bonus spread over the four years left on his current contract. The move creates $7.868 million in cap space under the 2023 salary cap.

PARRIS CAMPBELL PRESS CONFERENCE…
Wide receiver Parris Campbell, who the Giants acquired as an unrestricted free agent from the Indianapolis Colts, addressed the media on Friday. The transcript of this press conference is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

PARRIS CAMPBELL PRESS CONFERENCE…
Defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who the Giants acquired as an unrestricted free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, addressed the media on Friday. The transcript of this press conference is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

Giants Re-Sign Jihad Ward and Darius Slayton

 Posted by
Mar 162023
 
Jihad Ward, New York Giants (December 4, 2022)

Jihad Ward – © USA TODAY Sports

GIANTS RE-SIGN JIHAD WARD AND DARIUS SLAYTON …
The New York Giants have re-signed unrestricted free agents defensive lineman/linebacker Jihad Ward and wide receiver Darius Slayton. Media sources say Ward’s contract is a 1-year deal. Slayton’s contract reportedly is a 2-year, $12 million deal with incentives that could reach another $4.5 million.

The Giants signed Ward as an unrestricted free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2022. Ward surprisingly became an important on-field and locker-room veteran presence for the rebuilding ball club. He played in all 17 regular-season games with 11 starts (58 percent of defensive snaps), finishing the year with 43 tackles, seven tackles for losses, three sacks, 13 quarterback hits, four pass defenses, and two forced fumbles. It was the most-productive season in Ward’s seven-year NFL career. The 6’5”, 287-pound Ward was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He has spent time with the Raiders (2016-2017), Dallas Cowboys (2018), Indianapolis Colts (2018-2019), Baltimore Ravens (2019-2020), and Jaguars (2021). Ward has played in 85 regular-season games with 26 starts. While not flashy pass-rush presence, Ward is a tough, gritty edge-setter against the run. He also also shift inside when called upon.

Slayton began the 2022 season as the team’s 7th wideout, barely making the 53-man roster. Due to the revolving door at the position, by the end of the season, he was entrenched as a starter. Slayton played in 16 regular-season games with 11 starts, catching 46 passes for a team-leading 724 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. However, he also dropped seven passes, or nearly 10 percent of his opportunities. The Giants drafted Slayton in the 5th round of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he played in 14 games with nine starts, catching 48 passes for 740 yards and eight touchdowns. But Slayton has not really progressed since that impressive debut season, only catching seven total touchdown passes from 2020-2022, while also dropping 19 passes during that same timespan. Slayton combines decent size (6’1”, 194lbs) with very good overall athleticism and speed. Slayton can stretch the field and get deep. He can adjust well to the football, but his hands are very suspect, even being prone to double-clutching passes he does catch. Slayton is also not a very physical receiver and can have issues beating press coverage.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

BOBBY OKEREKE PRESS CONFERENCE…
Linebacker Bobby Okereke, who the Giants acquired as an unrestricted free agent from the Indianapolis Colts, addressed the media on Thursday. The transcript of this press conference is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

New York Giants Sign Parris Campbell

 Posted by
Mar 162023
 
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts (January 8, 2023)

Parris Campbell – © USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK GIANTS SIGN PARRIS CAMPBELL …
The New York Giants have signed unrestricted free agent wide receiver Parris Campbell (Indianapolis Colts) to a reported 1-year, $3 million contract, with an additional $1.7 million in per game roster bonuses and $2 million in incentives. The total package could reach $6.7 million.

The 25-year old, 6’1”, 208-pound Campbell was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Colts. He had an injury-plagued first three seasons in Indianapolis, missing extensive time in 2019 (sports hernia, broken hand, broken foot), 2020 (MCL and PCL knee injury), and 2021 (broken foot). From 2019-2021, he only played in 15 games, catching a total of 34 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Campbell finally played in all 17 games in 2022 with 16 starts. He finished the year with 63 catches for 623 yards and three touchdowns. Campbell lacks ideal size, but he fast, quick receiver who can play multiple positions, including the slot.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

DARREN WALLER PRESS CONFERENCE…
Tight end Darren Waller, who the Giants acquired by trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, addressed the media on Wednesday. The transcript of this press conference is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

Giants Sign Jeff Smith, Release Kenny Golladay

 Posted by
Mar 152023
 
Jeff Smith, New York Jets (September 18, 2022)

Jeff Smith – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have reportedly signed wide receiver Jeff Smith (New York Jets). Smith was not tendered as a potential restricted free agent by the Jets, thus making him an unrestricted free agent. As expected, the Giants also released wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who was not designated a post-June 1 cut, which would have created more immediate cap space but pushed dead money into 2024. His release did “save” $6.7 million against the 2023 salary cap, but also now counts $14.7 million in dead money against the cap.

The 25-year old, 6’1”, 195-pound Smith was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Jets after the 2019 NFL Draft. In his four seasons with the Jets, Smith played in 36 regular-season games with seven starts, catching 34 passes for 426 yards an no touchdowns. Smith has served as a gunner on special teams.

Golladay will go down as one of the worst free agent signings in NFL history. The Giants signed Golladay as an unrestricted free agent from the Detroit Lions in March 2021 to a 4-year, $72 million contract. In his two seasons with New York, Golladay has played in 26 regular-season games with 18 starts, catching just 43 passes for 602 yards and one touchdown. He had only six catches for 81 yards in 2022, as mediocre receivers easily passed him on the depth chart. He also dropped four targets on the limited chances he did get.

The 6’4”, 214-pound Golladay was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Lions. Golladay broke out in 2018 and 2019, catching 135 passes for 2,253 yards and 16 touchdowns. Golladay missed 11 games in 2020 with hamstring and hip injuries. He finished with just 20 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns in five games.

New York Giants Trade for Darren Waller

 Posted by
Mar 142023
 
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders (January 1, 2023)

Darren Waller – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have acquired tight end Darren Waller by trade from the Las Vegas Raiders. The Giants gave the Raiders the 3rd-round pick (100th overall selection) that they acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs for wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

The 30-year old, 6’6”, 238-pound Waller was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He has spent time with both the Ravens (2015-2018) and Raiders (2018-2022). Waller has played in 74 regular-season games with 52 starts, catching 298 passes for 3,572 yards and 19 touchdowns. His best two seasons were 2019-2020, when he caught an incredible 197 passes for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, Waller has missed 14 regular-season games the past two seasons with injuries, specifically knee and back injuries in 2021 and a nagging hamstring issue in 2022. Waller is receiving-type tight end who runs good routes and can threaten defenses vertically down the field. Due to his tall, lanky frame, he’s more of a position blocker.

Waller has four years remaining on his current contract, with base salaries of $11,000,000 in 2023, $10,525,000 in 2024, $11,525,000 in 2025, and $11,525,000 in 2026.

New York Giants Agree to Terms with Bobby Okereke

 Posted by
Mar 132023
 
Bobby Okereke, Indianapolis Colts (January 1, 2023)

Bobby Okereke – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (Indianapolis Colts). The deal is reportedly a 4-year, $40 million contract that includes $22 million guaranteed money.

The 26-year old, 6’2”, 235-pound Okereke was originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Colts. In four seasons, Okereke played in 64 regular-season games with 49 starts. His best season was in 2022 when he started 16 regular-season games, finishing with 151 tackles, five pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Okereke is a good athlete who can play the run and cover in the passing the game. Super productive, he was credited with 283 tackles the past two seasons.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

Giants Agree to Terms with Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Re-Sign Two

 Posted by
Mar 132023
 
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (January 2, 2022)

Rakeem Nunez-Roches – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent nose tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and re-signed running back Matt Breida and offensive guard Wyatt Davis. Nunez-Roches’ contract is reportedly a 3-year deal, while Breida reportedly signed a 1-year contract worth $2.3 million with incentives.

The 29-year old, 6’2”, 307-pound Nunez-Roches was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He has spent time with the Chiefs (2015-2018), Indianapolis Colts (2018), and Buccaneers (2018-2022). Nunez-Roches has played in 102 regular-season games with 38 starts. His best season was in 2022 when he played in 17 regular-season games with 10 starts, accruing 33 tackles and two sacks. Nunez-Roches is a good run defender who rarely flashes as a pass rusher. Tough and a good locker room presence.

The Giants signed Breida as an unrestricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills in March 2022. He played in every game, with one start, and finished the season with 54 carries for 220 yards (4.1 yards per carry), and one touchdown. He also caught 20 passes for 118 yards. Breida was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the San Francisco 49ers after the 2017 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the 49ers (2017-2020), Miami Dolphins (2020), and Bills (2021). Breida has played in 81 regular-season games with 20 starts, rushing the ball 520 times for 2,501 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. He also has caught 103 passes for 847 yards and six touchdowns.

The Giants claimed Davis off of waivers from the Arizona Cardinals in late December 2022. The 6’4”, 315-pound Davis was originally selected in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Davis spent time on both the 53-man roster (6 games with no starts) and Practice Squad as a rookie. The Vikings waived him in late August 2022 and the Giants immediately signed him to their Practice Squad. However, a week later the New Orleans Saints signed Davis to their 53-man roster. The Saints waived him in November and he was claimed off of waivers by the Cardinals, who cut him in late December. In all, Davis has played in nine NFL games with no starts. His first real NFL action came in the Giants’ regular-season finale against the Eagles.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

Nick Gates Agrees to Terms with Washington Commanders

 Posted by
Mar 132023
 
Nick Gates, New York Giants (October 18, 2020)

Nick Gates – © USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants unrestricted free agent center Nick Gates has agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders. While free agents cannot officially sign with new teams until Wednesday, the legal “tampering” period began today. The deal is reportedly a 3-year, $16.5 million contract with the possibility in another $1.5 million.

Nick Gates made a stunning comeback in 2022 from a very serious injury he suffered in 2021. Despite missing all of the spring and summer, plus much of the first half of the season, on the PUP List, Gates returned to the active roster in late October 2022. Incredibly, he ended up playing in 10 regular-season with eight starts, mostly at left guard. He also started both playoff games. Gates was flagged with five penalties (two holding, one false start, one tripping, and one ineligible downfield).

The Giants signed Gates as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2018 NFL Draft. He missed all of his rookie season with a foot injury. In 2019, Gates was active for all 16 games with three starts (two starts at right tackle and one start at right guard). The Giants moved Gates to center in 2020, when he started all 16 games and played well at his new position. In Week 2 of the 2021 season, Gates suffered a career-threatening fracture to his lower left leg. The severity of the injury required seven surgeries. Gates is a versatile player, able to play tackle, guard, and center.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

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